COMMUNICATIONS and Transport Minister, Geoffrey Lungwangwa has said that Government’s decision to sell Zambia Telecomunications Company (Zamtel) is final and cannot be rescinded.
Professor Lungwangwa said in Lusaka yesterday that the Government’s position on the matter as announced by President Rupiah Banda was final.
He was reacting to the calls by Patriotic Front (PF) – United Party for National Development (UPND) pact that President Banda should rescind Government decision to sell Zamtel shares.
PF president, Michael Sata said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the decision to privatise 75 per cent shares of Zamtel shares should be reversed immediately as it was being done not in public interest.
Meanwile, Speaker of the National Assembly AMUSAA MWANAMWAMBWA has ordered Communication and Transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa to update Parliament on the stage at which the privatisation of Zamtel has reached.[quote]
Mr Mwanamwambwa said that it was imperative that members of Parliament had first hand information on the stages at which the privatisation of Zamtel had reached as opposed to getting information from members of the public.
The speaker made the order after Chipili Member of Parliament Davies Mwila (PF) rose on a point of order as to whether it was appropriate for the minister to be quiet particularly when debates on Zamtel were at the peak among members of the public.
Mr Mwila said that as MPs, it was appropriate for them to have first hand information on the privatisation of Zamtel and not to rely on information from members of the public.
“What is important is for the minister to update or appraise the House on what is going on regarding the status and the future of Zamtel. This House needs to be updated and the minister does not require several days. As early as next week let this House have an update,” Mr Mwanamwambwa said.
He also advised members to desist from participating in debates by the public saying their best medium of debates for MPs was in the House.
“I encourage members not to participate in debates because this is the best forum,”Mr Mwanamwambwa said.
[Times of Zambia]
Ala Ba lungwangwa, its the best you can do. We know you already you will also be finished like a sucked potatoe. Efyapwile naba Peter Machungwa. You ministers cant even debate that issue as cabinet and yet you know your bululus at ZAMTEL and Zed at large will suffer. Rupiah’s gov system is like today you enjoy tommorow you suffer for your enjoyment.
Carefull and see you in 2011, pantu teimwe mukalasala nifwebo.
You people should also listen to want people are saying. Not every advise is bad because it comes from people not in Power. Try to reason on this one Thank you
Do what you think is right, but never forget that you are not going to be in that position “Minister” forever and one day you will fill the pintch of the decision you are about to make. I rest my case!!!
decision to sell ZAMTEL is final,sounds like the majority does not agree OR maybe for our president this is the best chance for him to make money.limbi nababalishamo for them to facilitate the selling of zamtel .i can asure everyone that who so ever buying zamtel is gonna F###KUP the company big time .lets wait & seewoooooo
The Zambian airwaves are chatting rough waters and soon and soon if care is not taken we will be crying. So many people will lose their jobs, this is a fact and to say they will be absorbed (by zain or mtn or what ever the company will be called or if the same zamtel name will remain) by the investors is a lie. we have the recent past of zccm, zambia airways and niec stores. so many will die of depression, all this orchestrated by the “loving government” which is made of HONORABLE MEN AND WOMEN.
Does this mean that no matter what pipo will say you have made your descision already?, Lungwangwa mwalanda mwapwa?
Prof Lungwangwa is a dissapointment, he failed to run the ministry of education where he is an expert. What do you expect from him in this matter where he is absolutely ignorant. He has reduced himself to a yes bwana………….RB said so, who is he to say otherwise.
What is Lungwangwa doing at a very important Ministry like that? The cow failed to perform @ UNZA let alone the Ministry of Education
Zamtel is on the verge of total collapse…workers see no light at the end of the tunnel,and instead of looking at something objectively, people politicise the issue of privitization. These so called leaders you support blindly were in the forefront calling for the TOTAL sale of Zamtel and Zesco….today because they have nothing to offer they call this as scandalous….and all small brains rally behind them IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE…my foot…what people?….
If democracy is the rule of the people by the of the country
Why the doesn’t the government listen to the cries of the people?
Lungwangwa has said that Government’s decision to sell Zambia Telecomunications Company (Zamtel) is final and cannot be rescinded.
This decision was made by a commitee of Ministers who have no experience in business matters and headed by the minister of Finance who is a speacialist at theories. We have seen from experience what people like Dr. Musokotwane contribute to business…very minimal they just make good lecturers. Just the Other day Noel Nkhoma said it would have been better if the company had been unbandled so that performing divisions like Cel Z and Zamtel Online could run as companies on their own. Imagine giving away everything for a song. I already know what govt will say. The investor has to invest $200m thats why the price is low but can’t be sold to zambians because they don’t have capacity..hence Chinese choice
For Sale on eBay: 6ths (sixth) sense which is lacking in most GRZ officials.
“He also advised members to desist from participating in debates by the public saying their best medium of debates for MPs was in the House.” Iwe chi speaker just who do MP’s represent? Is it not members of the public elyo naiwe minister what do you mean by saying the decision is final. Bushe Zamtel ya kwa noko?
#10 It is because they have already chewed the money. Can’t you read between the lines. The whole of this issue is from the Dora saga. How can we have people like this in Govt. It just shows how clever er are as Zambians. Just good at talking, no action.
is this fxol a prof? if he is then he is a damn stupxd idixt.he thinks through is over blown face. he is a joker.sometimes these pipo would make one regret being a zedian.
#6, KEICHI, It is not what people say or the opposition to the idea of selling. It is about proposing a solution which will raise enough money for ZAMTEL to continue to be a viable company. If ZAMTEL requires US$200m, Mr.Sata as political party leader and all who are opposed to the sale are obliged to make proposals as to how the country can raise US$200m to recapitalise and re-equip Zamtel. Rupia and his government do not have the luxury of just talking which Mr. Sata can do. They have to understand the consequenses of not selling the Company which may include the company being liquidated like Zambian Airways. At that point they would have to divert US$200m to support Zamtel in order to save jobs and forego other development needs. These issues are not so easy.
ZAMTEL nayo yabvutitsa pa Zedi mweee…
THis may be a good time to make a comment about Nawakwi. Ms Nawakwi in trying to legitimise her position as an opposition leader has to say things that Fred Mmembe approves of, rather than propose a tangible solution. Mrs Nawakwi and Mr. Sata were in the government that sold the mines and many state companies for a song. They raised no objections. They both have no moral platform on which to lecture Rupiah, at all. In civilised countries where probity is important in politics, both Nawakwi and Sata would not be allowed to make any comments about Zamtel in the manner they are. Fortunately for them Zambians always forget and are able to listen to any one regardless of their record.
#15 Govt should start by paying millions if not billions of Kwacha that it owes Zamtel after that is done we can then sit down and debate democraticlly to find the best solution. And this solution has to found using decision tools and not the Gabbage Can model as has been the case with RB and his friends. Just how did RB and his friends arrive at the decision to sell Zamtel? Let them table the details for scrutiny by Zambians if not put the matter to a vote by the Zambian people. Banda is a liar, he lairs about these hospitals on wheels as a present, he lairs about the almost 100% votes. Just listen to him, each province he visits he talks about the sweet and nice people of this province. Very funny ni ba Fwanya bonse manje
#16 Muli money mu Zamtel that is the only reason. Look at other firms with problems, there are so many but because there is no zoba, no interest. Napa Zed wako ni wako
Though 75% maybe too much,the decision to privitise Zamtel is in good faith.Look at those opposed to it! They are shameless hypocrites who have no same of wisdom at all.HH is a millionaire today because of privitisation,Sata and Nawakwi were staunch supporters of of ill-managed privitisation under Chiluba.Iam left wondering with this kind of opposition in Zed.
1. Transparency is the most admirable and honorable virtue. Govt, Explain the funds that have gone in the mammoth project of splitting land all over the country and burying the optical fiber cable across Zambia and its source. Is Zamtel Funding this project? The deal must have started with LPM, but can we account for the moneys involved. Is Govt itself funding the Project?
2. Please don’t mess with the RP Evaluation report either by editing or forgery. Please avail the of the evaluation report so we can know what’s in it. I fear these chaps must have under evaluated Zamtel’s Asserts.
3. Zambians please, act as informed and awakened citizens. Learned guys like Lungwangwa can choose to bootlick because of Parliamentary Gratuity. Please do what will save Zamtel. Don’t act out…
Cont…Don’t act out of anger and hatred for other people.
4. I will choose to listen from both RB and the UPND and PF pact. We are all Zambians after all. Both party leaders may have points. There is no point of being arrogant unless something fishy is going down. YES WE CAN. WE CAN CHART THE WAY FORWARD.
He also advised members to desist from participating in debates by the public saying their best medium of debates for MPs was in the House.” Iwe chi speaker just who do MP’s represent? Is it not members of the public elyo naiwe minister what do you mean by saying the decision is final. Bushe is Zamtel your fathers or mothers property, cause it seems so. If it is go ahead if it is not listen to the Zambian people. Shani kanshi RESPECT
#20 It is the way the transaction is being done. Do you know the details. Is there a website where we Zambians can visit and get these details. Have the procedures been followed? Does anyone owe Zamtel money? Why has Zamtel failed? We need to have answers to all these questions before a decision is made. Zambia is not a dictatorship country and all politicians are servants of the people. They are answerable to the Zambian people, but things appear as though it is the opposite. Takwaba
This prof looks more like idi amin…..???!!!
#24
When you look at the Privitisation Act,the final say is vested in cabinet as was see durin chiluba and LPM with Zanaco. Has Zamtel failed? Yes.Why? Mismanagement,bloated workforce,nepotism and Govt failure to settle its bills it owes.If well privitised all these problems that has plagued Zamtel will be history and will be back on its wheels competing with Zain and MTN.
Tukalanda tukalema things will always be like this in Zambia as long as brains like yours keep on being enslaved by your host countries to sustain their powerful economies. my dears Diasporadias lets begin giving back to our dearest country by going home & becoming Investors, economists and politicians twachula pafula. It will only take a few of the hundreds of zambian intellectuals scattered abroad mouthing abt things their will never have contrl of FOR Daderheads like Mulongoti & Teta to continously slander & exploit our beautiful country LETS GO & KICK THESE MAGGOTS OUT
#26 If anything involving Govt is associated with failure, then I for one does not see any meaning in having a Govt. Maybe the Govt of RB needs to be privatised as well in order for it to function
Cheers
#23, Ntamba Lukuta, You don’t seem to understand the mechanics of government. Let me explain, when Lungwangwa says the decision is final, it means Cabinet has discussed the issue and made a unanimous decision to sell 75% of the company. You on this blog are not the people. The people of Zambia are represented by their representatives in Parliament. That is what representative democracy means and that is why the Speaker has asked Lungwangwa to go to Parliament to explain the decision of Cabinet to the People of Zambia. You on this blog have two choices, 1, to give your views to your MPs or 2, to use your freedom of expression and Assembly by demonstrating against the sale. Any how, government has a duty to make decisions on vital issues and they have made one, before ZAMTEL collapses.
#25 there was a story that Idi Amin fled to Zambia, so I am not surprised
#29 I was in Govt before I left Zambia my dear and I appreciate you comments While I do that I have a question for. Do you in your mind think it is correct for Cabinet to make a decision and then explain the decision to parliament or will it not make more sense for cabinet to come up with a suggestion take to parliament and hear the vies of the MPs who are our representives and make a final decision after that.?
Zambia is a one-man show, Rupiah Banda. People like Lungwangwa are there just to amplify their master’s voice.
People of the land,i might have missed some point from SATA and HH’s press conference they had the other day.what did they say should be done to ZAMTEL to salvage it from the current woos?i’ll appreciate the update.
#21 Sharp shooter- The best person who can advise you against crime is one has spent some time at Chimbokaila. The fact that Nawakwi, Sata HH and Miyanda had some hand in past privatization excercises does not mean that they cannot advise gvt. After all they are speaking from experience. Infact they are the best people to tell us what(who) “forced them” to do it.
The foreign partner has already greased the palms of zambian govt with gifts to make a decision without privy to the biggest stakeholders(zambian people). If this zamtel sale was such an honest and beneficial why is it carried out in such a shady way
#30 You are very right when you say”government has a duty to make decisions on vital issues and they have made one, before ZAMTEL collapses”.
I can’t wait for either HH or Sata to get into state house.This is when the realities of governing a country will hit them.We will see if they will be making populist decisions or they will face the hard facts underlying the issue.
I ask these questions again.Why is it that over 90% of local Zambians subscribe to Zain and MTN.What did they find less attractive with ZAMTEL?
We Akapondo
They did not put forth any proposals to save Zamtel from its current finacial woes.What they said are the usual chants of”Its not in the interest of the people to privitise by 75%”.HH as any economist was suppose to come up any an alternative proposal he thinks is in the best interst of Zambia.As for Sata,I expected what he said.We dont have opposition in Zambia.HH has sunk so low to inspire anyone.Prof Atekefye.
#29, Government does not take suggestions to Parliament. The job of Cabinet is to make decisions, not to make suggestions. Parliament can react by tabling a motion on the floor of the House opposing the decision of Cabinet. A cabinet which takes a suggestion to Parliament would be considered a joke of a government incapable of making decisions. Cabinet sometimes has to make appalling choices such as invading another country and declaring a war in which many people could die. This is the nature of government. It is not a joke as I see from the ignorance on this blog.
We Akapondo
They did not put forth any proposals to save Zamtel from its current finacial woes.What they said are the usual chants of”Its not in the interest of the people to privitise by 75%”.HH as an economist was suppose to come up an alternative proposal he thinks is in the best interest of Zambia.As for Sata,I expected what he said.We dont have opposition in Zambia.HH has sunk so low to inspire anyone.Prof Atekefye.
I think Zambians have become too obsessed with politics to the point that they are creating their own poverty. I don’t think I have ever seen a story on Lusaka Times that is concerning business and has received over 200 comments yet a political story about Sata gets over 1000 comments. This is a serious problem. This is why Lusaka Times is full of socialists.
Socialism is based on a principle of “if I cannot do for myself, let someone do for me”. Imagine if a school gave all it’s pupils the answers when writing an exam, how many students would have actually learnt something? However if you let the students work hard, those who learnt something will show it through their performance in the exam.
Socialism provides an incentive for laziness. [tbc
cont…
Workers under a nationalized company tend to be lazy and do not have incentives to innovate because they get state support. It does not matter how many people they have on payroll because the state will foot the bill. It does not matter whether they do not innovate new ways of doing things because they will always get state support and protection. Nationalized companies do not care. They do not have to get new fixed capital because there is no incentive to do so. They don’t have to provide better conditions or innovative conditions of service because there is no incentive to do so. There is no incentive to even tell the receptionist to be friendly and respectful because it does not matter whether customers come back or not [tbc
cont….
customers come back or not, they will still get the state to foot the bill. The receptionist can be rude all she wants and the company does not care because even though they had to lose that customer, the state will still foot the bill. People praise Kaunda’s socialist govt with such nationalized companies forgetting that recapitalizing these same failing companies landed the country in $9 billion dollars debt owed to international bankers. There was no other choice but to privatize these companies.
——————————–
Concerning Mr. Sata and Mr. Hichilema going against the sale of ZAMTEL, perhaps they could enlighten us (since they speak for the pride of the nation by having nationalized companies) on which network they use for their cellphones[tbc
cont…
which network they use for their cellphones. Surely such patriotic Zambians cannot opt to use private owned ZAIN or MTN. Since they are so patriotic, they probably use CELL Z. It would be ironic for people going against the sell of Zamtel to be some of the people not supporting its business. Do their numbers start with 097, 096 or do they start with 095. If not, they should explain to us why they are not supporting a 100% Zambian owned business.
They should also explain to us why they don’t support state owned Times of Zambia and Daily Mail and instead opt to support private owned Post of Zambia. Why do they have pay TV (DSTV, MYTV) or watch MUVI TV instead of watching ZNBC (which is 100% owned by the people). [tbc
Mr.Capitalist
Spot on.
I have toured former Soviet States and what you are saying is reflective on the ground.You go in a shop,the sales lady looks at you as if you have come to get groceries free of charge and for the natives its normal like that..However they are fast changing states like Georgia and Ukraine.
cont…
Why do they always give their interviews to private owned Qfm and not ZNBC Radio 1 (which is 100% owned by the people). Why they choose to their shopping at private owned Arcades, Crossroads, Downtown shoppping mall and Manda hill instead of state owned “complex” at Manda Hill.
Why they opt to have their Grant Thorton offices (could be wrong) at private owned “Farmers house Cairo road” instead of state owned FINDECO house. Isn’t it the duty of patriotic Zambians to support Zambian businesses especially those owned 100% by the people.
All those against the sell of ZAMTEL, tell us whether the network you are with when you are in Zambia is ZAIN, MTN or CELL Z. Surely you patriotic Zambians who opt for state owned companies must be patriotic enough to support[tbc
cont…
patriotic enough to support state owned companies and yet all we hear is some of the folllowing;
“Cell Z has got a very bad network, ZNBC is boring, etc”. And here you are going against efficiency. Going against a batter alternative. The people bringing this country are not the people like me who are for privatization. The people bring this country down are the ones opting for socialism and yet they are the same running away from state owned companies.
The same people like HH and Sata have been mesmerized by the efficiency of the private competitive market. Go ahead, here is a challenge to all those against the privatization of Zamtel including Mr HH and Sata. Reveal to us the networks your cell phones are currently using in Zambia. Is it MTN, ZAIN or CELL Z.
THANKS NKOLE … I WISH WE HAD MORE PIPO LIKE YOU AND IT WOULD BE A GREAT PLEASURE BEING IN MIDST OF KNWLEDGE……….BLOGGERS ARE SO SATANISED THAT THEY CANT EVEN READ …THEY SEE STAT’S NAME AND BLINDLY SUPPORT. BLOGGERS THINK THEY REPRESENT THE PIPO AND CAN RUN GOVT. JOKERS ! I FEEL PITY FOR THE BABY COBRA…….. BITTEN BY THE REAL COBRA AND NOW ON ON FREE FALL!!!!
Mar capitalist
So if one uses a network like Zain or MTN then they are not being patriotic therefore privitisation to foreigners is okay. Use that logic on all aspects on zambian life then you will see how ridiculous it sounds, so if someone shops from shoprite than zambian shops should be sold to foreigners because thats unpatriotic? If someone buys italian shoes then bata shoe company should be sold to foreigners because peoples shopping is unpatriotic. IF your excuse is market shares why are you selectively avoiding area’s where ZAMTEL is leading .
Prof. Lugwanga, your head is full of nuts. Is that the best option for fixing Zamtel’s problems offloading 75% to foreigners? The silent majority shall win not now but we hold the future and we pray that nature takes its course. Zanaco went for a song. Is that the mistake Zambians are paying for voting you in office selling public entities like salaula. What th the like of Prof. Godfell and others are forgetting is that who ever is being offerred Zamtel 75% will have total control of its operations and most of the GRZ departments gona be in shit as tel services shall be disconnected for failure to settle bils on time. KCM there is lito control by ZCCM-IH. In future pipo shall renationalize zamtel without compensation. 75% is just too much.
My fellow Zambians with all this shit going on in gov, now is the REAL time for change. forget about your bululu’s in shangombo, you know which ticket to put your thumb / mark at. these guys should leave gov altogether. they r a bunch of thieves and selfish scumbugs.
Nomba na payslip yaba first lady, i wonder ngabalikwata nensoni ishakufola mahala….mahala…mahala.
What a joke!
“So if one uses a network like Zain or MTN then they are not being patriotic therefore privitisation to foreigners is okay.”
The question you should be asking is why are people using Zain or MTN? The answer is simple, it is not because they are not being patriotic, it is because Zain or MTN is more efficient due to their competitive drive that provides an incentive for them to bring about better conditions of service. When Zamtel launched Cell Z, Zain (then Celtel) quickly and competitively launched the SMS service. When MTN bought Telecel, Zain (then Celtel) quickly and competitively launched the web browsing system. Why did they do this, because they wanted to keep their consumer base.[tbc
cont….
Zamtel has no incentive to provide these innovative ways of service because it is the state that foots the bill. If Zain starts loosing its consumer base, it will try and innovate its way to gaining/maintaining its consumer base so it can remain profitable. Zamtel has not such incentive because no matter how many consumers it loses, it is the state to foot the bill. Independent displayed some figures sometime back showing how the Zamtel’s consumer base shrunk and Zamtel did nothing about it.
Zamtel must be privatized so it can have this competitive drive that will enable it to provide innovative solutions to its problems. Zamtel must be privatized so it can have the incentive to provide better conditions of service.[tbc
If Zamtel collapsed today, will the country come to a stand still. Will govt stop functioning, will people stop communicating. Apart from job losses, what is it really will Zambia lose. May be we have exagerated the weight of Zamtel.
We just need to bite the bullet and gon on to privatize Zamtel. It’s the only way this company will be saved from death of its own making. Most of those who will lose jobs will find new ones. Look at former ZCCM workers, or other privatized or liquidated companies. A lot of their employees found new jobs and some left the country. Yes some will never find new jobs but that’s the price we should be willing to pay. Unless Zamtel is privatized, it will collapse. We need an efficient and profitable Zamtel.
cont…
Zamtel must be privatized so it can have the incentive to innovate a way to increase its consumer base. Zamtel must be privatized so it can compete favorably with Zain and MTN.
It is an issue of privatizing so it can be competitive, innovative and efficient. You must ask yourself why the majority wants to use Zain and Zamtel has done nothing about it. No innovations whatsoever.
It is like the issue of school places, if everyone was given answers at the exam and they all passed and went on to the next stage, there would be no incentive to study hard (they will give me the answers anyway). However, if they are competing for school places, the incentive is there to study hard due to the limits on available places.
Zamtel could not compete with highly experienced international billion dollar subsidiaries like Zain and MTN it’s that simple, it’s not about zamtel not doingas you put it. Using an excuse of unimaginable and incomparable competition as an excuse for privitisation is ridiculous. Your comparisons are like comparing mumana pleasure resort to the marriot hotels
If you have not gotten any sense in what I have written above then please don’t respond to me. I am not interested in hearing it. It will be noise to me.
Your post on #54 is just an excuse I am not interested in responding to. It will be too tiring. I will let someone else respond to that.
We should also put the $200m debt in the bigger picture. Paying off this debt will just be a start. Zamtel will need much more money than the $200m to upgrade technology, restructure the company, shed off excess labour, etc. Zamtel will not become competitive overnight. It will need to invest heavily.
I am no industry expert but I would not be surprised if it cost $1bn to turn around this company on to a path of sustainable profitability. The $200m debt is easier to handle, it can be renegotiated. The main challenge will be obtaining funds for investment and restructuring. The new owners will need to demonstrate that the new Zamtel is viable – profits, competitiveness etc – the usual points for a business case.
Your excuses are tragid and laughable, you are the one talking that people don’t talk business and yet I bring you facts you assume the mental foetal position. Even if you sold zamtel at 300 million it can never compete with companies as big as Zain and MTN. Premature excuses of lets sell zamtel because it can’t compete with billion dollar companies Zain has 6 billion US dollars . Your so called sense just sounds like rudimentary drivel you seem to think Zamtel is all about cell Z despite other sectors which you selectively ignore. Zamtel’s market share will grow not because of the mobile sector but because of it’s metroplitian fibre optic that connects 6 countries. Somehow you cannot see past your nose all you think is cell Z
The rxn from Gen Miyanda to this story is very touching in the Post. See this. HERITAGE Party (HP) president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda yesterday warned that the Zamtel deal compromises the country’s national security system.
Brig Gen Miyanda said President Rupiah Banda had opened wide the door to Zambia’s bedroom for a few pieces of silver and that at this rate there would soon be no Zambia.
He said breach of security was worse than corruption because a thief is eventually caught and punished but when security is compromised chances are that the enemy who has penetrated your institutions not only takes over these national institutions but also puts his own people who may include compromised Zambians.
Brig Gen Miyanda said the 75 per cent privatisation of Zamtel must be…
Brig Gen Miyanda said the 75 per cent privatisation of Zamtel must be opposed outright as a betrayal of the people of Zambia.
“The attacks by the President on those who had been in government before is not a good argument because even himself was at one time in the longest-serving regime of UNIP which lasted for 27 years! He should not vilify [former finance minister Ng’andu ] Magande because he knows what happens in that so-called collective responsibility,” Brig Gen Miyanda said. “Let him come up with better arguments and defences for the betrayal of the Zambian’s trust and confidence. I call upon all Zambians, including the workers affected, to stand up against the usual manipulation of information and statistics for eventual delivery of killer punches that have been…
ZAMTEL has security implications on our nation. Would be investors are hereby advised that when the current leadership is out of favour with the people, nationalisation of ZAMTEL will be immediate. We can’t let go of it. The answer is not priviatisation but a change in mgt.
I call upon all Zambians, including the workers affected, to stand up against the usual manipulation of information and statistics for eventual delivery of killer punches that have been orchestrated by the hidden hand over many years.”
He wondered whether the service chiefs advised President Banda, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the defence forces, over the deal.
“What about Zanaco? While in government a few of us resisted and refused for Zanaco to be sold on the grounds that it was our own independence baby; it was viable and at the time it had a lot of assets and a reasonable balance sheet even in foreign exchange.
Some powerful minister wanted Zanaco to merge with Meridien bank; we implored Dr Chiluba to refuse and he obliged. After we left government the idea was revived; I was one of the opposition political leaders who joined the unions in a march and demonstration that ended at Freedom Statue with a petition to President Mwanawasa,” Brig Gen Miyanda said. “The late president changed his intention to sell though later he again went back on his word. Zanaco went for a song; Zambians were at it again. President Banda should not speak against those who were in government; some of us have continued to be patriotic and will criticise him if does things that are not in our national interest or national security.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of our Defence Force. Have the Service Chiefs advised him that it is in order to compromise our national security system? I would be very shocked and ashamed to be one of them if that is what they have advised him.
“Remember how Ian Smith paralysed our communications system and kept our air force glued to the ground without taking off and coming on their frequencies and cheekily announcing ‘This is Green Leader, we are not after you Zambians; we are after ZIPRA. Stay on the ground and you will not be harmed’. President Banda are you paying attention or you think only money matters?”
He said his heart was heavy and he was crying for the day when Zambians would wake up and put a stop to this perennial fraud promoted by electoral nonsense…
He said his heart was heavy and he was crying for the day when Zambians would wake up and put a stop to this perennial fraud promoted by electoral nonsense which does not assist in identifying leaders who love their motherland.
“No one else can ever end the plunder and rape of our resources except the people themselves. The cheating at elections will not stop because the people are not stopping it; they are tacit participants. That is why I cry, crying for a time when the people will realise that no foreigner comes to help you, they come to help themselves,” Brig Gen Miyanda said.
“Zambians must realise that no one donates to you; no one gives you a grant; it is all a form of business and you must earn it and pay back if you owe. Hence Zambians must retrace their steps back to the village, revisiting the principles that helped our forefathers to survive the most devastating economic conditions.”
He said listening to communications minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa recently on MUVI TV he could not help but conclude that there were traitors in the government masquerading as leaders of the people.
“These are agents of foreign interests and pushers of personal agenda. A traitor is one who betrays a friend, a cause, or his or her people or country. Minister Lungwangwa and his friends have betrayed the cause of independence.
Through their conduct they have demonstrated that they do not deserve the trust or confidence of Zambians. Workers’ union leaders must be slow to support this treachery until they have fully examined the full impact of what the government scheme is all about. The workers must not just look at the immediate pay cheque but think of the long-term outcome. When Jesus Christ was betrayed, Judah’s Iscariot kissed him while the vultures were watching as he identified his prey,” Brig Gen Miyanda said. “Minister Lungwangwa and his President have been kissing Zambians with sugar-coated words and phrases about development because they know that Zambians are docile and always ready and willing to be deceived and they seem to enjoy and forget who was manipulating them. They are willing partners in…
They are willing partners in these never-ending hide and seek games. Politicians seek and hide the wealth of the nation, and the people wake up and come out to praise and worship them; a little later they start shouting ‘corruption, corruption’, forgetting their tacit acquiescence. No law will stop this nonsense; no constitution will stop the plunder.”
He said in Zambia the Constitution and other laws were just for displaying to tourists and bogus investors that we are good boys and girls of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“What can you conclude when you hear from a minister of the government words and phrases like ‘government cannot stop expressions of intent; shares must be secondary, Zambians must come along and establish a flag carrier? Etc etc.’ Government can stop expressions of interest by the way it frames the laws in the protection of its citizens; other governments do it all the time.
As an economist, President Banda must surely be aware that in business and company law, shares are everything; whoever has majority shares owns the company and determines and decides its direction and future, including when to pay or not pay a dividend. For President Banda and the minister to focus only on the money coming in is to be like the proverbial ostrich with its head buried in the sand and leaving the rest of the body exposed and unprotected!” Brig Gen Miyanda said.
“It is naive for the minister to invite Zambians to set up a national flag carrier. How can it be a national flag carrier if it is owned by individuals? In any case the minister is not serious in this policy pronouncement and has contradicted himself in his speech. In answer to the interviewer, the minister stated that the logic of the 75 per cent was to attract would-be investors. He went on to say that the US 200 million dollars expected was a lot of money, which was obviously out of reach of many Zambians.
If the money is too much for Zambians why was he inviting Zambians to join in this one-sided competition without offering them capital to participate? Clearly he was merely politicking and blindfolding those who were listening to him.”
He said learned people were good at covering up their tracks with well-chosen words and phrases.
“But after they finish their convincing verbal performance, it is time to ask them the Heritage million dollar question; ‘What is really in it for Zambians at large? Who are these Zambians you are talking about, minister?’
How can Lungwangwa brush off a question about Zambia’s security? Breach of security is worse than corruption because a thief is eventually caught and punished. But when security is compromised chances are that the enemy who has penetrated your institutions not only takes over these national institutions but puts his own people who may include compromised Zambians,” Brig Gen Miyanda said.
“He takes charge of your life, the nation’s life, the making or influencing of the making of laws according to his desire to protect his own interests which are almost always opposed to yours. And of course he takes all the money out of our country. President Banda has opened wide the door to Zambia’s bedroom for a few pieces of silver. At this rate there will soon be no Zambia; at the rate at which these unpatriotic Zambians are alienating our land there will be no villages left standing; if there will be no villages then there will be no Zambia; if there will be no Zambia then there will be no Zambians, instead we shall remain with the illusive rainbow fluttering in our faces. If there are no nations that have gone extinct, Zambia will be the first.
The name Zambia will be a statistic for the archives.”
He said Zambians must stand up and fight against this new colonialism brought about by their own so-called sons of the soil.
“God played his part; he is not creating any new lands. You have not heard of new lands being created instead you have been hearing of lands being discovered, trips to outer space to discover and explore what is already created. If you allow yourselves to be cheated and taken for a ride God will not be there for you no matter how many times you declare that you are a Christian nation, for He has said if you do not claim your inheritance someone else will. Stop President Banda and his selfish team from dismembering our country,” he said.
Jinx Popo.
Greetings to you in Christ name,
I have a confession to make to you hope you will find room in your heart to forgive me.I have fallen in love with your comments please keep it up.
Stay blessed.
Matworld.
He said his party was totally against xenophobia and that the most important function of any President who ascends to office was not the managing of the economy but the protection of the peoples from plunderers and vicious prowlers called investors.
“Today foreigners have easy access to our security installations and cantonments. Today there are Chinese, Russians, Eskimos and all kinds of characters trooping in and out of security places without let or hindrance. Where do you find such a casual and unintelligent arrangement in the world today? Why do you think America has stringent anti-terrorist laws and have convinced Vice-President George Kunda to copy the same laws and impose them on Zambians?” Brig Gen Miyanda asked. “Strangely, the British trained us well and inculcated in us…
“Strangely, the British trained us well and inculcated in us a spirit of patriotism. But even when we were being trained abroad there are certain lectures which were closed to us the foreigners and were strictly for their nationals; we were conveniently sent on tours while their sons and daughters were receiving important tutoring on highly classified lectures. In Zambia we are said to be one and belong to one world, how foolish and naive!”
He said security could not be taken care of by laws as Prof Lungwangwa misled himself.
“The minister must realize and know that security is an attitude of the mind. If he believes that laws will protect us against saboteurs of our nation’s security then he better pack up and go back to UNZA to continue theorizing. There is no protection in laws; it seems to me that the passing of new laws by the Banda regime may be a cover up for either offences already committed or those schemed to be committed. Tacitus, a well known Latin historian, is reputed to have said that ‘when the State is most corrupt, the laws are most numerous’,” said Brig Gen Miyanda.
“You can see how many laws are being churned out on corruption even when the current law is clear about this crime. Now these schemers are going to steal Zamtel in broad daylight and pass legislation to legalise this under the very noses of the loquacious but gullible Zambians. How many times have we been told about a parastatal that is alleged not to be viable and yet the very next day after being sold it makes more money than it was bought for?
“I have practical examples of government collusion in the rape of our wealth and natural resources. MSB is one; others are Zambia Airways, Contract Haulage, Zambia Education Publishing House (ZEPH) and Government Printers. While in government I lost many of these battles; but in the end I believe I won the battles because day in, day out,…
While in government I lost many of these battles; but in the end I believe I won the battles because day in, day out, today there are revelations of things I spoke against and those I warned about.”
Thanks Matworld. Actually im quoting Gen Miyanda but the cry is from every well meaning Zambian. Some pipo are very good at finding appropriate words for the situation.
My fellow Zambians with all this bullsht going on in gov, now is the REAL time for change. forget about your bululu’s in shangombo, you know which ticket to put your thumb / mark at. these guys should leave gov altogether. they r a bunch of thieves and selfish scumbugs.
Nomba na payslip yaba first lady, i wonder ngabalikwata nensoni ishakufola mahala….mahala…mahala.
What a joke!
Jinx… ifyamba upepa fikali
This is the mistake govt make: BEING SECRETIVE and IMPERVIOUS TO OUTSIDE ADVICE.
If they can’t even inform the people’s house (parliament) about such an important national issue, what do they expect ordinary citizens to think?!! You people in govt will be surprise at how much support you can get on some of these issues if only you are willing to open up a little bit about what you are, or intend, to do in our name as Zambian citizens, before you actually do it.
Don’t you think some of this opposition and suspension is simply due to the secretive nature of how you are conducting the people’s business?!!!!
Miyanda is my darling. The way he harnesses his thought processes and puts across his ideas leaves me with a feeling of awe. We need to here more from the like of you, General.
DJ XXX .
I strongly disagree with you.
Jinx is cool just leave him/her alone.
JInx, i retract my statement,sorry man… thank you for posting my president speech, hes a man of wisdom and i dont know why Zambia cant see this and support him. Everything he has said is so meaningful and honest. Long live Miyanda… I am always touched
Terence, i have retracted my statement
Privatise the Zambia Government and everything will work. Privatise RB, Mulongoti, Tetamalilo, Recruit Shikapwasha and beautiful Dora and all will be well in Zambia
Gents I have a question. If we imagine Dora Siliya was a folder on a Windows Server 2003, in A Domain, what user rights would Rupiah Bwenzani Banda have? Read only, Read and Write, Full Control or no Access, I think it could be full Control as for that women cadre from Mansa the user rights of her folder are “everyone = FullControl IoI hahahaha…..
DJ XXX .
Thanks dear.
Have a blessed day.
And besides, her rights can be inherited from child folders like Thandiwe
#80, Jinx, 84, Monalisa, The speech given by Miyanda says really very little and contains no solutions. It is what is called a demagogue speech which appeals to emotions while giving little substance. All defence and security institutions have their own communication systems separate from Zamtel. This includes the national radar systems. They do not use Zamtel. The only vital Zamtel installation is the international gateway at Mwembeshi and if Miyanda is in love with it it can be hived off and kept under a separate institution. But really, the way forward is to liberalise the international gateway and allow every telcom to operate their own gateway and this will lower the cost of an international call. As for Miyanda, he liquidated Zambia Airways, which was more viable than Zamtel…
On “COMMUNICATIONS and Transport Minister, Geoffrey Lungwangwa has said that Government’s decision to sell Zambia Telecomunications Company (Zamtel) is final and cannot be rescinded”, just sale/sell ZAMTEL but I will look upto the UPND-PF PACT government hopefully in the next 2 years to reposess the company from the foreigners whom you MMD GRZ will the give 75% shares to own ZAMTEL even to full decision making while they foreigners will have the security of Zambia and Zambians in their hands. Zambians will surely be at the mess of the foreigners.
Sadly, if most of the top jobs at ZAMTEL with qualified staff will be filled in by ill-qualified foreigners.
Be blest.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be…
“one zambia, one poor nation”. naya mukukolwa ine!
92 ba-NKOLE WAMAPEMBWE UMFWE MILANDU greetings. On “All defence and security institutions have their own communication systems separate from Zamtel. This includes the national radar systems. They do not use Zamtel.”, where is the L700 system and why does it link through a ZAMTEL telephone exchange and then through LAMYA HOUSE?
I will end here and wait for read your response. I will also not add any more details about security systems that have a link with ZAMTEL facilities for I do not need to be like former (then MMD GRZ) President Chiluba FTJ who revealed about the tunnels at State House.
Till then.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Miyanda was also acting President when ba Kaunda and Chongwe were shot by police in Kabwe but Miyanda was completely unconcerned over such an appalling event where a former Head of State was almost killed. He firmly refused to authorise an investigation. Miyanda is a ruthless and dangerous person and the country is blessed to have him out of power. I would rather be governed by a bumbling President who would never turn our country into a bloodbath than be ruled by a dangerous man with a real possibility to become a bloodthirsty killer. I love my freedom. I can insult Rupiah any day as many do and there will never be any one to burn my home down.
96 ba-NKOLE WAMAPEMBWE UMFWE MILANDU greetings. On “Miyanda was also acting President when ba Kaunda and Chongwe were shot by police in Kabwe but Miyanda was completely unconcerned over such an appalling event where a former Head of State was almost killed. He firmly refused to authorise an investigation. Miyanda is a ruthless and dangerous person and the country is blessed to have him out of power.” How about the UNZA student shooting with a live bullet that happened during late President LP Mwanawasa’s Presidency of Zambia.
On the live bullet shooting of a CBU student during the Presidency of RB Banda and Vice Presidency of Kunda, I will wait.
Nice day.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be…
Maestro Hakucincha.
The scripture below your comments is powerful.
Oops! I forgot to find out how you are doing. How is life my bro?
#96 Nkole. The fight between KK and Miyanda started a long time ago at Mulungushi Rock of authority when Miyanda opposed the introduction of a one party participatory democracy. So dont get involved
Zamtel really needs to be privatised but the problem is that it is not being done in the right manner.Politicians should not involve themselves in the tender process. we wont be surprised to see Zamtel go to west africans. Good example is the failure of the privatisation of luanshya mine by chiluba.Zamtel should be sold to reputable international companies not to small sido companies from Cayman Islands.
98 Matworld greetings and I am safe thanks. Enjoy your everything as I look up to the UPND-PF GRZ to reverse all useless dealing that the current MMD GRZ is making.
Later.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
#97, Maestro, Greetings and welcome to the Friday debate.To begin, I am really aggrieved about the unenviable position in which HH has placed you, where you have to support the night mare of a Sata government in Zambia. As for the police shooting of UNZA students during Levy’s time. I certainly condemn it most strongly. This applies to the shooting in Kitwe. I hope it was a rubber bullet than a live bullet and investigations of course must be instituted. However both cases are far removed from state sponsored killings or abductions such as was the case in nearby Zimbabwe. By all standards Zambia is not a bloodthirsty regime. I thank God for this and I pray this will never change. I know you join me in this prayer.
Bat Mat Ati shani mwemfumu?
Nkole has put a strong argument on #92.I have a lot of respect for the general,however,the speech by Miyanda indded appeals to emotions and devoid of solutions to the troubled Zamtel.What is needed now are solutions not speeches like those of Josef Goebbels which used to send Germans in tears.
106 ba-NKOLE WAMAPEMBWE UMFWE MILANDU greetings. On your “#97, Maestro, Greetings and welcome to the Friday debate.To begin, I am really aggrieved about the unenviable position in which HH has placed you, where you have to support the night mare of a Sata government in Zambia.” Thanks very much. However, my support for the PACT’s reversing the 75% sell of ZAMTEL shares has nothing to do with my support for president HH. It is only sensible that only a maximum of 49% be sold to foreigners.
I have always thought that President RB Banda is a better leader than honourable Sata (Grade 2/6) but I was wrong, now I believe, due to the recent bluffing by him Pr. RB.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
106 ba-NKOLE WAMAPEMBWE UMFWE MILANDU, please advise President RB Banda to get his facts right always before embarrassing us Zambians for some of us have created a good name about Zambia among our friends from all the world which is being tarnished by the lies that MP Magande sold 75% shares of ZANACO by President RB Banda and Minister Teta., President RB Banda got 100% votes and has all MPs including Councillors from Northwestern Province, etc. and failure to let ZAMBIA POLICE to deal with the MMD Thugs, that are claiming to be more powerful than the policemen, who are now beating even Times of Zambia reporters apart for the journalists from the POST.
Be honesty!
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Yeah! Sell Zamtel and everything then in the end privatize CABINET. We don’t care right? That’s it? No room to change your mind? What arrogance! Learned bootlicker.
Maestro Hakucincha. issues of security over the sale of zamtel are neither here nor there. if intelligence communication security depends on zamtel how do foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries. In a world of satelite communication and fibre optics the choices are plenty. All you need is rent a bandwidth from someone and encode your signal in a way that only a recipient can decipher some kind of a much more improved radio hoping techniques. Miyanda was a general of a small brigade in charge of heavy duty equipment he is therefore too mechanical to understand these things.Even at the moment state has several options on which carrier to use for there communications
Ok lets put things in perspective. For a number or reasons ZAMTEL is on life surport and something needs to be done. ONE OPTION IS PRIVATIZATION?? dO i HEAR ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS OR ARE WE ALL JUST BLABBERING AWAY
111 Engines greetings and very un-intelligent question “Maestro Hakucincha. issues of security over the sale of zamtel are neither here nor there. if intelligence communication security depends on zamtel how do foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries.” and no wonder there is no question mark at the end of it. I will reply after I hand in my report to my supervisors soon.
Later.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
I agree there is no big security concern. All I see in nationalistic concern without any logic. The fact that most of us do not use ZAMTEL tells you something is wrong. As for security, do you know that America , the most security concious contry does not have a goverment telecommunications company.
Whoever is going to ‘buy’ ZAMTEL had better understand that they have no moral highground, and that the secrecy which has surrounded the evaluation and ‘sale’ of this public property puts it’s ownership on very shaky legal grounds. It will be rescinded when a new government comes to power. I hope they get that. There are a lot of ways to do that – just study the case of Vladimir Putin and the Russian oligarchs.
111Engines, following your very naive question “Maestro Hakucincha. issues of security over the sale of zamtel are neither here nor there. if intelligence communication security depends on zamtel how do foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries.” which lacked a question mark at the its end, find useful information on the security and how … foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries. Firslty, all ZAMTEL telecommunications division workers, apart casual ones I believe, swear at a courts of law that they will not diffuse sensity information anyhow.
Continued.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
111Engines, following your very naive question “Maestro Hakucincha. issues of security over the sale of zamtel are neither here nor there. if intelligence communication security depends on zamtel how do foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries.” which lacked a question mark at the its end, find useful information on the security and how … foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries. Firslty, all ZAMTEL telecommunications division workers, apart casual ones I believe, swear at a court(s) of law that they will not diffuse sensitive information anyhow.
Continued.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
111Engines, following your very naive question “Maestro Hakucincha. issues of security over the sale of zamtel are neither here nor there. if intelligence communication security depends on zamtel how do foreign calls then remain secure even when there is no zamtel in foreign countries.” Secondly, the security being brought into consideration in the ZAMTEL telecommunications company sale/sell emanates from the fact that Zambia Defence and Intelligence Services have their systems linked by the ZAMTEL system.
Once such is changed by equipping our defence and intelligence systems with their autonomous links, then ZAMTEL can be sold to foreigners without a problem of security concerns of the Head of State being at stake.
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Psalm 16:8 + KJV Bible
politics of a coward
shame on you lungwangwa
111Engines, selling 75% ZAMTEL shares to foreigners means that those outsiders can do anything they want to including disrespecting the sovereignty of Zambia as a Nation.
In a case of giving them 49% shares of ZAMTEL, the GRZ or say Zambians owning 26% and GRZ with 25% would still ensure that Zambia has a say in the operations of ZAMTEL. This is what is at stake.
The issue of liberalising the International Gateway that ZAMTEL monopolises is not a problem and is actually a welcome move.
ZAMTEL has many assets including money that the MMD GRZ and other debtors owe it, and all that is needed is to come up with an effective way of collecting that debt to recapitalise it.
Have a blessed Sabbath day (real weekend/Saturday).
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Psalm 16:8 + KJV Bible
The ZAMTEL deal sucks. MMD never seem to stop at destroying what our founding fathers built. Mines, ZANACO were sold for a song and its an open secret. We have Professors, Doctors and Graduates in Cabinet who just wear the tiltle not poor at decision making. They have managed to sell national assets. Now they want to compromise national security because of blind loyalty to the President Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda. Next it will be ZESCO then we have nothing. These people are capable of even selling the country. The events happening in the country are very disturbing and PLEASE ZAMBIANS THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL.
As for me, I have no problem with selling ZESCO even at 100% shares for we can always have diesel generators, solar systems and battery in times of crises including malasha (Charcoal). My concern is ZAMTEL which carries a lot of National secrets from many points even to and from State House.
This is why I support the UPND-PF PACT’s stance that it will re-Nationalise ZAMTEL once it comes to power.
The rest of the companies can go as PPP (private public partnerships) or full private hands.
Have a blessed Sabbath day all.
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Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Sharp Shooter, ” I have a lot of respect for the general,however,the speech by Miyanda indded appeals to emotions and devoid of solutions to the troubled Zamtel.What is needed now are solutions not speeches like those of Josef Goebbels which used to send Germans in tears. ”
There are very easy solutions.
One, regulation. Separate the civil service and parastatals like ZAMTEL from the polital class, so that promotins can ONLY be made from within the ranks of the civil service, based on merit, not connections.
Two, tax the mines to capitalize the parastatals, instead of privatisation. If Zambia is a sovereign country, it is free to raise taxes on anyone, including the all powerful foreign owned mines.
Chile raises $800 million per year from it’s copper mines, and Zambia can raise at least that much. Three, there may be a need to break up ZAMTEL into a few smaller companies, and separate out several services – landlines, satellite, etc.
Pipo Dora sold Zamtel when she was comm minister. Their cut has been paid already and the buyer is pushing to take over Zamtel. Good luck red lips!
Hmm so handing over a national company that runs national telephone and international communication is no security risk. Do people even know that all any competant spy agency would need is access to you telephone exchanges and they can listen to an home and mobile phone conversation even when mobile phones are off? Funny someone says the Intelligence has their separate line when my uncle who works for OP has a landline and cell number which am not mistaken uses zamtel transmitters.
A private ZAMTEL will be the best medicine for GRZ because it will teach them to pay their bills in time, failure to which all government operations will be at risk of grinding to a complete halt, should they delay payment or fail to pay, as is usual government practice.
Good decision making by the powers that be on the ZAMTEL sale. One day, they will report for work only to find that they can not communicate because all lines have been disconnected for none payment of bills
Ba Monalissa @88, take 5 and big thumbs up for idolising Miyanda the way I do!!!… really, if he could add his maths well,… he could be the next presido… at least his kind are most welcome..
If security is such a concern for those who oppose the sell of ZAMTEL,why is it that the US government, which is so paranoid about national security, does not own a telecommunications company.The industry in the US is run by private companies yet in Zambia,national security will be compromised if they sell ZAMTEL.
People also have short memories.When Cpt Solo and co staged a coup against FTJ,FTJ managed to send a live television broadcast right from state house using the in-house broadcasting station(which has 1MW transmitters).That is how you deal with national security concerns.Zambian Intelligence,ZAF,ZA just like the Pentagon in the USA have their own communication systems to safe guard national security.I can assure you OP doesn’t need ZAMTEL for national security.
#130 the NSA overlooks and controls AT&T and verizon . Do your research and see how Verizon and at&t records conversations.AT&t and verizon and their dealings. Theres no country dumb enough to give it’s national telecommunication…apart from zambia of course. Selling Zamtel is a ridiculoous as AT&t and verizon being given to the russians
131 ! Youre dead on target. Tell em !
#131 Ooh my gosh.
I can’t believe the extent to which you want to spread misinformation to win a debate.If you really want to digress from the simple ZAMTEL issue to this,then I’m game for it.The National Security Agency (NSA)does not own AT&T or Verizon.
I refer to this lawsuit”Hepting v. AT&T”.This was a United States class action lawsuit filed in January 2006 by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) against AT&T, in which the EFF alleges that AT&T permitted and assisted the National Security Agency (NSA) in unlawfully monitoring the communications of the United States,”
If the NSA overlooks and controls AT&T as you say then why is the matter in court to this very day?AT&T engineers were testifying against the state.If you don’t want ZAMTEL to be sold that’s fine.But…
please lets tell the truth.Whether ZAMTEL is sold or kept will not help the common man on the street.The problems of poverty in Zambia are far bigger than the ZAMTEL issue.I’ve commented about this issue more than enough.I’m now tired………………..
Interesting discussion. Nonetheless, 75% sell-off of a potentially sensitive national asset to, most likely, a foreign entity seems excessive. The security concerns being expressed by people should not be dismissed as simply runts by disgruntled individuals. If this thing is not done right, Zambia will live to regret this decision because National Security issues are real and serious. They can not be overlooked in name of Privatization. Those of you comparing the NSA to the Zambian OP must be living in the dream world. NSA is far far advanced such that they rarely need AT&T or Verizon to do what they do—only in special situations. The Zambian intelligence, security wings, and the OP are ages away from operating independently of ZAMTEL.
Zambia needs a voice of a prophet who will not fear man but will speak God’s judgement on the level of wickedness in Zambia if people do not repent and take care of the nation of Zambia and the people of Zambia as faithful stewards, this applies to all sectors of the country. God hears the cries of the oppresed Zambians, those that do not have voices and God sees how justice has been perverted in Zambia. Zambia needs prophets like Jeremiah who were not there to please leaders but were there to speak the word of the Lord concerning those nations. God bless Zambia.
Good morning my Pipo/fellow Zambians…….
This whole ZAMTEL saga has a veil of secrecy surrounding it. Who is this buyer and why can’t the sale be done in an open way so that the public (to with ZAMTEL apparently belongs to ) can gain confidence in the process. The process is equally as important as the final sale. Ever since we removed Bashipanji, Zambians have been robbed of their wealth by thieves wearing suits. There is nothing to show for all those companies that have been lost except broken homes after people lost their jobs. Zambians must wake up and put a stop to these people who have their hands in our pockets. These companies were created after a lot of hard work and deliberation. Today they are lost in the corridors of political power behind closed doors.
Wake up
OKAY….why can’t the Zambian embassies all over the world offer shares to Zambians abroad who have money for such investments. It seems Zambian intellectuals , youth , business people, hard working people are not being integrated into the Zambian system to enjoy the possible future growth of ZAMTEL. WHY CAN’T 49% be given to foreign investors and 51% shares offered to the public and Zed people around the world. IF they do not invest THEN there is a reason to give 75% away. Think of the future generation , think of the future of Zambians who need to be given a chance to improve their country. Zambians love Zed do not leave them out
The fun thing about this selling of ZAMTEL is that the Zambian govt will just end up paying a lot of money to the eventual buyer anyway. Think about it, whoever buys telco will inherit or rather buy ZAMTEL’s assets and liabilities. Currently the govt owes ZAMTEL billions of money and the buyer will want that money back… interesting scenario here! I tend to agree that the govt should have just paid the debt it owes ZAMTEL.
#129 I think too Miyanda talsk sense, but if he could do the same upon entering state house is another issue. Mwaiche kabili naiwe
Correction #129 I think too Miyanda talks sense, but if he could do the same upon entering state house is another issue. Mwaiche kabili naiwe
It surprising why all of us Zambians have run away from our own country. let us go back and help, bunda bwa kulanda fye takwaba, kwati ni pa KEMUBI ku Chitwe sure (Kitwe)
Bushe what is going on ku Mansa kanshi. Uku lafula pa airstrip sure
There is a dispute between RB and Magande over how much of Zanaco shares were sold. RB says Magande sold 75% of Zanaco shares. Magande says , ‘No, I sold 49% to RaboBank.’ The question is, who is telling the truth? The Post already have their answer because they say RB is wedded to lies. Now here is the real situation: RaboBank, 49%, Zambian individuals, 25%, GRZ 26%. So it means that Magande sold 74% of Zanaco shares. So, Magande is the liar but RB is closer to the truth, though missed by 1%.